High Cholesterol

How to Reduce Your Cholesterol

Cholesterol has become a major issue of concern for so many people across the globe. The reasons behind the same are obvious. High cholesterol levels make you prone to several heart diseases. Susceptibility to risk factors like obesity is also increased due to high cholesterol levels.

Considering the ill effects of high cholesterol, it is in one's best interest to reduce cholesterol level. Reducing cholesterol is not as difficult as it may sound. You can reduce your cholesterol in a few easy steps and that too without relying much on side effect causing medicines.

Cut saturated fatSince saturated fat cannot be easily digested by your body, it is the most important thing to avoid if you want to reduce cholesterol. The biggest culprits are cookies, pie, chocolates, cream and other fatty products. Such foods should be avoided to the maximum possible.

Instead of saturated fat you could opt for polysaturated or monosaturated fat which is present in cornflower oil, olive oil and even fish oil. Also try to replace you saturated food intake with low fat products like lean meant and low fat dairy products.

Go in for raw nutsConsuming nuts may sound as the worst piece of advice for anyone who is trying to reduce cholesterol. However not all nuts are bad. Nuts if consumed in their raw from can actually do good by bringing down LDL levels. It is only the processed and hydrogenated oil soaked variety that is harmful.

A mixture of various nuts like raw almonds, walnuts, pecans and pistachios can do well in reducing LDL 1'4 to ½ cup of nuts per day should be enough.

Build a regular exercise regimePhysical activity plays a pivotal role in managing cholesterol level. Increasing your physical activity can actually help bring down cholesterol. Thirty minutes of any physical exercise like brisk walking, or skipping can help reduce cholesterol.

Reduce alcohol consumptionConsumption of alcohol can also lead to an increase of cholesterol levels in the blood. Thus it becomes very important that alcohol be consumed in moderation. The department of health specifies three to four glasses of alcohol as moderate quantity for men. Women should not exceed two to three glasses of alcohol per day to keep their cholesterol levels in check.

Drugs and medicationsThere are several drugs and medication available that can help lower your cholesterol considerably. Niacin is one of the most popular medicines in use to control cholesterol levels. Though it is known to have a hot flush effect after consumption, it proves to be quite beneficial. Any medication should be taken only with doctor's prescription.